Friday, April 6, 2012

Author Ambush & Contest with Laura Kaye

TGIF Book Monsters & Literal Addicts!

Today we have the amazing Laura Kaye taking over our sites. Laura will be talking about the two characters from her upcoming new release "West of Want" and she's giving away some awesome prizes so make sure you show Laura some love by leaving questions and comments for her.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

*********************************************************

Dreamcasting WEST OF WANT

& Get Ready to Win!

In just a few days, I’m going to be hosting a huge Preview & Prizes Event at over 40 blogs to celebrate April 10, the original release date for Book 2 in my Hearts of the Anemoi series, West of Want. In the past few months, some really cool things happened: my publisher, Entangled Publishing, signed a huge deal with the nation’s biggest book distributor, which means for the first time ever, my books will be shelved in brick-and-mortar bookstores. And then, West of Want received a very nice pre-sales estimate by the booksellers and Barnes and Nobles bought it for all their stores nationwide (and it got bought for airports, too—squee!). The only bad news in this whole scenario was this: the release date got pushed back, by three LONG months! LOL So, I thought I’d celebrate the original release date with a preview of the book and a big contest, and give you a small taste to whet your appetite until the actual release date arrives.

Beginning on April 10, I’m going to be giving away hundreds of dollars in prizes and gift cards. So, to get you excited for that—and for exclusive, never-before-shared excerpts from the book itself—I thought I’d introduce you to the hero and heroine to give you a taste of things to come. And, take a look at these brand-spanking-new romance trading cards for West of Want, being shared for the first time here!

First, WEST OF WANT’s Blurb:

Betrayal is all he's ever known, but in her, he'll find a love strong enough to be trusted...

When Marcella Raines' twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she's gravely injured--and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce--Ella fights to survive.

Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn't protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he's sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph's heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.

Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting...everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want--a love that can be trusted.

"Laura Kaye’s captivating writing and vibrant world-building will have readers hooked on the gods of the Anemoi. WEST OF WANT is steamy, spellbinding, and a must-read for all romance fantasy fans."

~Elisabeth Naughton, author of the Eternal Guardians series

MEET HERO ZEPHYROS MARTIUS:

Ella’s first impression of Zeph:Zephyros was fierce masculinity personified. Ella couldn’t stop her brain from resurrecting the image of Zeph tearing off his shirt as he sat on the edge of her bed.As if the man’s broad shoulders and bulging biceps weren’t impressive enough. As if the ridged muscles of his abdomen didn’t just call out to be traced. She had absolutely never seen with her own eyes, on a real man, that incredible cut of muscle just above his hips. But, yeah, he had it, and then some.

Zeph’s Job: Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, one of the four Cardinal Anemoi

3 Words that Describe Zeph: Loyal, Powerful, Tortured

3 Things he Loves about Heroine Ella Raines: Her acceptance, her belief in him, her passion

Who would play Zeph if the book was made into a movie? Hugh Jackman – mmm mmm good!

MEET HEROINE ELLA RAINES:

One of Zeph’s early impressions of Ella:

He was ancient. He was immortal. He was a god. Yet this slip of a mortal woman pulled the ground out from under him over and over again. And she didn’t even know he was there.

Or maybe she did?

Every time he convinced himself to go, she said or did something that intrigued him. Or, worse, concerned him, and he’d find himself negotiating for just a little more time. Her pleased reaction to his flowers, her lie to the doctor and nurses, her pain at seeing her own reflection, at having that young doctor poke and prod her ruined shoulder. He couldn’t leave. In truth, he didn’t want to.

Ella’s Job: Ella is between jobs, having recently come into an inheritance, but, a life-long sailor, she’s looking at volunteering full-time for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

3 Words that Describe Ella: Survivor, Adventurous, Strong

3 Things she Loves about Hero Zephyros Martius: That he’s survived so many tragedies and is still so kind and loving, the man beneath the otherworldliness, his strength

Who would play Ella if the book was made into a movie? Kate Beckinsale – isn’t she so gorgeous here?

One commenter here will win a West of Want gift bag, bookmark, and romance trading cards. Simply comment to enter to win and be sure to leave your email address. This prize will be announced as part of the event festivities on April 10. Open to international.

TO ENTER:

Make sure you are a member of the Book Monster Blog (by clicking on the “JOIN THIS SITE” button at the top left hand corner of blog page), and then post a comment on the interview with your email address.

*Any comments without an email address will NOT be entered into drawing.

Don't forget to drop by the LITERAL ADDICTION website (http://www.literaladdiction.com/) and follow the directions and links to enter their contest for an extra chance to win!!!

About Laura Kaye:

Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is a bestselling and award-winning author paranormal and contemporary romance. Hearts in Darkness is the EPIC eBook Award Winner for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Ooooooooooh can't wait for the release of West of Want it looks so good and and Zeph sounds HOT!! lol and if the dreamcasting of him is Hugh Jackman i really want to read this book, its going on my to pre-order list now!:) I have read In the Service of the King and loved it and i'm gonna go read North of Need now :) Thank you Laura for this great giveaway!

I just love your Vampire King series and the Hearts of Anemoi series. Thank you so much for a chance to win one of your books and it was great hearing more about you and your writing style. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

Very interesting story. It's hard to find your book in Indonesia. I'm in love with your books.I can't wait to read it. How do I find your books?I agree with you it's gonna be Hugh Jackman, my fave actor.

@Julianne - there's a contest for this post to get bookmarks and trading cards. The MAIN contest with all the bookstore gift cards starts on 4/10. So come back on Tuesday and drop in at some of the different sites participating - they'll be hosting different excerpts, some guest posts to meet the characters and more!